Over the last few weeks, students in NAP (New Arrivals Program) Science have been learning about renewable and non-renewable energy, energy poverty and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. On the 22nd of May, 98 students from six different NAP Science classes attended a special "Solar Buddy" session run by Origin Energy through partnership with the Beacon Foundation. The goal of the session was to educate the students about energy poverty and to allow them to build handheld solar lights that will be sent to young people living in energy poverty, along with a note written by the students.

Eight volunteers working for Origin Energy ran the first part of the presentation. Students listened to a short presentation about energy and watched a short but powerful video about the people in Papua New Guinea who are living in energy poverty. Students answered questions, interacted with the presenters and gained valuable insight into the lives of those living without energy.

In the second part of the session, students worked together in groups of three to build hand-held solar powered lights. This process involved teamwork, problem solving and time management. Along with the solar lights, students also wrote a short letter to the young person that would be receiving these lights. The students were excited to be building lights for people living in energy poverty and felt very inspired and proud to be global citizens.

Overall, it was an amazing experience and we thank all of the students, staff and industry members involved.